NCHA showcases its research impact in healthy ageing at flagship event

Prof Velandai Srikanth, Patricia Sparrow, A/Prof Helen Cooper and Prof Wayne Hodgson.

Addressing ageism, co-designing research, partnering with industry and community, and creating innovative tools and solutions to address some of Australia’s key challenges in healthy ageing were showcased at this month’s National Centre for Healthy Ageing’s (NCHA) inaugural flagship event.

The NCHA’s “Impacting Change in Healthy Ageing” Showcase attracted a bumper turnout at the Ngarnga Centre in Frankston from across the research, government, local community, industry, and aged care sector, including representatives from our foundation partners, Monash University and Peninsula Health.

On the eve of Ageism Awareness Day, Patricia Sparrow, the CEO of peak body, COTA Australia delivered an impassioned keynote address about how “Ageism Hurts us All”.  She highlighted that ageism occurs across the lifespan and was often framed by internal thinking, a benevolent approach in health systems, or where the value of older people could be diminished by limiting their autonomy to make life decisions.

She said that ageism can affect us all, leading people to often limit themselves once they were made to ‘feel old’ or needed to navigate existing ageist systems and practices. Patricia noted that her call for increased involvement of older people in service and project design was already happening within NCHA’s research projects.

NCHA Director, Professor Velandai Srikanth highlighted the importance of innovation, system partnership and collaboration in its mission-focused approach to address healthy ageing and its complex challenges.

“Longevity is the new norm with nine million Australians aged over 50 and more than one million people are expected to be aged over 85 years by 2042,” Professor Srikanth said.

“In a 2022 ABS survey, 70 per cent of Australians aged over 65 reported their health as being good to excellent. But what about the other 30 per cent? This is a key focus of our NCHA Living Labs projects.

“I’m delighted that some of our leading Living Labs researchers and their collaborators are here today to showcase how their co-designed projects are making a real impact and will help influence changes in healthy ageing.”

L - R: Professor Helen Rawson, Bridget Robinson, Rebecca Barnden, Kathleen van der Weerden, Dr Tina Lam, Michelle Bult, Patricia Sparrow,
Professor Velandai Srikanth, Associate Professor Darshini Ayton, Nilu Morawaka.

Highlights from the interactive, informative presentations included:

  • Associate Professor Darshini Ayton (Monash University) and Nilu Morawaka (Head of Residential Aged Care at Baptcare) sharing learnings from creating with residents and family, education, and ways to reduce stigma around dementia diagnosis in aged care.
  • Rebecca Barnden (NCHA/Peninsula Health) and Michelle Bult (NDIS and Disability manager, Peninsula Health) explaining how a novel digital interface (tool) will help identify a consumer’s healthcare needs and preferences that can accompany them on their healthcare journey.
  • Professor Helen Rawson (Monash University) and Bridget Robinson (Director of Clinical Services, Village Baxter Aged Care)on the A-PRECISE Project which is co-designing infection prevention and control strategies with residents, staff, and family in residential aged care homes.
  • Dr Tina Lam (Monash Addiction Research Centre) and Kathleen van der Weerden (Mornington Peninsula Shire Council)highlighting research findings from the “Beyond 50” Study showing increased alcohol and other drug use, mental health challenges and social isolation impacting people aged 50-70 in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.

Thanks to everyone who supported this inaugural event. We look forward to showcasing more of the breakthrough research at NCHA in the future!